Age: Typically 2nd & 3rd grade. 2023-24 Season:Birth Dates between 06/01/14 & 05/31/16
**If your child is a Summer 2016 birthday entering 1st or 2nd grade, contact the Mite Coordinator to determine registration level.
Registration Fee: $450 (does not include fees listed below)
SportsEngine transaction fee: $20-$50 (based on total registration amount)
USA Hockey registration fee: $50-$61 (based on birth year)
Minnesota Hockey affiliate fee: $10
Season: An evaluation occurs in mid-October with practices starting at the end of October/beginning of November. The season ends in early to mid-March
Preseason Clinics (optional; $100): These clinics will consist of 10-12 hours of additional ice time in September and October, before the Upper Mite season begins. The clinics are optional and will be used to work on specific skills to prepare skaters for the season.
Team Formation: Players will be placed on teams based on the evaluation. If a player isn't able to attend the evaluation, coaches will discuss placement based on any prior experience/knowledge. Teams of equal skill level will be formed through the use of the MN Hockey HEP Mite/8U Skills Evaluation.
Practices: Indoor practices are 3 times per week - typically Saturday & Sunday plus Wednesday evening. Players will be grouped with like-players and abilities. Additional outdoor ice will be added as weather permits.
In-house 3v3 Scrimmages: Internal scrimmages will be typically scheduled 1 time per week (primarily Sundays).
External Scrimmages: Coaches and team managers will schedule periodic scrimmages against other associations of like skills. These scrimmage times will typically replace existing ice times resulting in either a practice or a scrimmage.
After January 15th, teams will be restructured to assign Upper Mite players that will move to Squirts next year to separate teams. These oldest Upper Mite players will have the opportunity to scrimmage other associations in full-ice 5v5 structure (with goalies) up to 10 times.
Tournaments: Tournaments may be scheduled with the approval of the Mite Coordinator. Tournaments will be announced once confirmed.
Jamboree: End-of-season in-house tournament in March - Oriole Cup
Friday Pond Hockey: Open hockey for Mite and Squirt age players on Friday afternoons on the SLP ROC. Open and free for all players to attend. Coaches may or may not be present to guide play. This hands-off open hockey time allows players to get creative and organize themselves into teams to scrimmage like a pickup game at a local pond.